The cannabis-social-club craze continues, historic polls and more

CannaBiz

Either pot brings the "social" out in people, or entrepreneurs just really appreciate the low overhead and consistent membership fees that cannabis social clubs seem to offer. Either way, there's been a glut lately, and we've found our fourth: The Lazy Lion (2502 E. Bijou St., 634-8337), a members-only outfit, with a stoned lion — wearing a crown and rocking a Rastafarian-Colorado flag — as its logo.

We tried to reach owner Andrew Poarch, as well as club employees, for more details, but failed to hear back by deadline. However, Denise Gibe, a spokeswoman for the club, sent us an e-mail with some information.

"There is a Social Lounge, private VIP Rooms, Arcade area, [and a] Movie Theater," she writes. "And there is an upcoming events calendar that will feature special food nights, ladies nights, music events and more. Rooms can be rented for private events as well."

As at the others, this is a bring-your-own-weed deal. Gibe says $30 is the monthly membership fee, with $10 required for daily entry — it's not clear whether that's on top of the monthly cost or not — and the club's open every day from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.

"It is the Premier Membership Only Cannibis [sic] Club in Colorado," she writes, "a 'destination' social club offering a safe and relaxed environment."

Roll tide

A poll released last week by the Pew Research Center (people-press.org) found that "for the first time in more than four decades of polling on the issue, a majority of Americans favor legalizing the use of marijuana." Fifty-two percent of those polled supported the outright legalization of weed, while 72 percent think "government efforts to enforce marijuana laws cost more than they are worth."

Branding matters

The Cannabis Energy Drink (cannabisenergydrink.com) is coming to a store near you — and not a dispensary, either. This is a THC-free liquid, and is instead laced with hemp-seed oil. Area sales manager Jack Bruso says it tastes like Red Bull with a nutty kick.

So, what's the big deal? Well, just check the press release: "What CED has going for it, is a bold green can with the words 'Cannabis Energy Drink,' and its sweet taste." And there you go.

Tax weed-fall

Last week, the Pueblo Chieftain reported that Pueblo County brought in $58,600 in sales-tax revenue from its medical-marijuana businesses between October 2010 and January 2013. In a related story, the Denver Post wrote Monday that the city of Aurora could see as much as $2.7 million annually from marijuana sales tax and licensing fees.